High heel shoe having foldable heel

ABSTRACT

A high heel shoe pertains to a folding heel which folds resiliently when the heel tip contacts a surface and absorbs impact transferred from the heel of a wearer&#39;s foot to relieve fatigue while walking. The high heel shoe having a foldable heel includes: a sole ( 110 ) having a bottom portion ( 111 ) contacting the ground, and a tilt portion ( 112 ) tilted upwardly from the bottom portion ( 111 ); a heel ( 130 ) having a front top ( 131 ) hinged to the intermediate portion of the lower surface of the tilt portion ( 112 ); and a resilient member ( 140 ) of which both ends are fixed at a rear lower surface ( 112   a ) of the tilt portion ( 112 ) and at a top ( 132 ) of the heel ( 130 ), respectively. The heel ( 130 ) also has an unfolded state in which the elastic force of the resilient member ( 140 ) is released.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a high heel shoe for women, and more particularly, to a high heel shoe having a foldable heel which is resiliently folded when the heel tip contacts the ground, to enable a shoe wearer to walk in a natural and comfortable manner, and which absorbs the impact transferred from the heel of a wearer's foot to relieve fatigue while walking.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, high heel shoes are referred to as shoes by which the heel of a wearer is raised. Since the wearer can look taller and legs may look more appealing when wearing high heel shoes, many women use high heel shoes. In addition, high heel shoes are considered to assume an important position in completion of fashion, and high heel shoes having various designs are being manufactured and sold to meet with such requirements.

Each high heel shoe basically includes a sole having a bottom portion formed at a front side and coming in contact with the ground surface, and a tilt portion raised from the bottom portion in an inclined manner, and the tilt portion includes a heel having a height of 5 cm or more. In addition, the sole and heel of the high heel shoe are formed of a solid material having a high strength that can endure the weight of the wearer and an impact applied while walking, and the heel is securely fixed to the tilt portion of the sole. The impact due to walking is applied to the heel of the wearer as it is, and the applied impact is applied to another area of the body. Accordingly, when fatigue due to walking in high heels is much larger than walking in general shoes, and when high heel shoes are worn for a long time, the impact is hard on joints such as the ankle, knee, spine, and so on, and causes severe pain, deformation of feet, or the like.

A conventional art for solving the problems of the high heel shoe is disclosed in Korean Utility Model Registration No. 169388 (Shock-Absorbing Structure of High Heel Shoe for Woman). A high heel shoe 1 having a shock-absorbing function according to the conventional art includes, as shown in FIG. 1, a pressing member 10 having a groove 2 a with a predetermined depth from a bottom surface of a sole 2 corresponding to a heel of the high heel shoe and partially inserted into the groove 2 a to support the heel of the wearer; a connecting member 11 having a predetermined thickness, inserted into the groove 2 a of the pressing member 10, and to which an upper surface of a heel 3 of the high heel shoe and both surfaces of the sole 2 are attached; and a resilient member having an installation groove 3 a formed at the heel 3 attached to the high heel shoe 1 and perpendicular in a direction of the groove having a predetermined depth, and guided into the installation groove 3 a to provide elasticity to an upper side of the sole 2 of the heel 3.

The high heel shoe 1 having the conventional shock-absorbing function having the above-mentioned configuration includes magnets 12 and 13 having the same polarity disposed between the sole 2 and the heel 3, or a resilient member such as a compression spring (not shown), for absorbing impact. The high heel shoe 1 can improve hard-wearing feeling provided in the conventional high heel shoe.

However, the high heel shoe 1 having the shock-absorbing function according to the conventional art has a relatively complex shock-absorbing structure to make it difficult to manufacture the structure, causing high expense. In addition, since the shock-absorbing action is applied in a direction perpendicular to the ground surface, the following problems of the conventional high heel shoe could not be solved.

That is, a center of gravity of the wearer is concentrated to the ball of the foot due to the high heel, a burden is applied to the body, and the ankle is likely to be twisted.

In addition, when the wearer wears high heel shoes and starts to walk, the heel first comes in contact with the ground surface in an inclined state, rather than the bottom portion of the sole. Here, since the heel has a small contact surface with the ground surface, the impact applied to the heel is increased, and thus, the heel (of the shoe) is likely to be broken. Further, since the center of gravity of the high heel shoe cannot be naturally moved forward from the contacted heel, walking becomes inconvenient.

Furthermore, since a bottom tip formed at a lower end of the heel is in contact with the ground surface in an inclined state as described above, corners are likely to be worn so that the tip should be frequently replaced with a new one.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

In order to solve the foregoing and/or other problems, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a high heel shoe including a foldable heel capable of absorbing impact applied from a heel to reduce fatigue due to walking, and enabling natural and comfortable walking.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a high heel shoe including a foldable heel having a relatively simple structure and good durability, and capable of implementing a novel design.

Technical Solution

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention may be achieved by providing a high heel shoe including a foldable heel, including: a sole (110) constituted by a bottom portion (111) in contact with the ground surface, and a tilt portion (112) raised from the bottom portion (111) in an inclined manner; a heel (130) having a front top (131) hinged to an intermediate side of a lower surface of the tilt portion (112); and a resilient member (140) having both ends installed at a rear lower surface (112 a) of the tilt portion (112) and a top surface (132) of the heel (130), respectively, wherein the heel (130) has an unfolded state in which the top surface (132) is spaced apart a predetermined angle (α) from the rear lower surface (112 a) of the tilt portion (112) in a state in which a resilient force of the resilient member (140) is released, and a folded state pivoted from the unfolded state by a load applied to the tilt portion (112). Here, the heel (130) has a hooking surface (138) formed at the front top (131) and in contact with a front lower surface (112 b) of the tilt portion (112) in the unfolded state. In addition, the sole (110) may have a threshold (119) protruding from the front lower surface (112 b) of the tilt portion (112) to come in contact with a lower surface (131 b) of the front top (131) of the heel (130) in the unfolded state.

In the high heel shoe including the foldable heel according to the present invention, pivot shaft support sections (113) protrude from an intermediate side of a lower surface of the tilt portion (112), a pivot shaft (120) supported by the pivot shaft support sections (113) is installed, and the heel (130) is hinged to the pivot shaft (120). In addition, the resilient member (140) includes: a torsional coil spring (142) inserted onto the pivot shaft (120); a sole support section (144) extending from the torsional coil spring (142) and configured to support the rear lower surface (112 a) of the tilt portion 112; and a heel support section (146) extending from the torsional coil spring (142) to form the predetermined angle (α) with respect to the sole support section (144) and configured to support the top surface (132) of the heel (130). Here, a sole support receiving groove (114) in which the sole support section (144) is received and fixed is formed at the rear lower surface (112 a) of the tilt portion (112), and a heel support receiving groove (133) in which the heel support section (146) is received and fixed is formed at the top surface (132) of the heel (130).

In addition, the high heel shoe including the foldable heel according to the present invention may further include a plate-shaped auxiliary resilient member (150) adhered to the rear lower surface (112 a) of the tilt portion (112) or the top surface (132) of the heel (130).

Further, in the high heel shoe including the foldable heel according to the present invention, a heel guide section (116) configured to guide a side portion of an upper end of the heel (130) upon pivotal movement of the heel (130) into the folded state, protrudes from the rear lower surface (112 a) of the tilt portion (112). Here, the heel guide section (116) may further include a heel cover (117) extending to an upper end of the heel (130) in the unfolded state.

Advantageous Effects

As described above, in the high heel shoe including the foldable heel according to the present invention, since the heel is resiliently folded and the weight of the walker is naturally moved from the contacted heel to the bottom portion of the high heel shoe, comfortable walking becomes possible. In addition, as the impact applied from the heel is smoothly absorbed, fatigue due to walking can be remarkably reduced.

Further, since a relatively simple foldable structure can be used to implement a shock-absorbing function, manufacturing cost can be reduced, and durability can be remarkably improved.

Furthermore, novel designs can be implemented according to requirements of consumers who want unique and individual designs.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a high heel shoe having a shock-absorbing function according to a conventional art;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a high heel shoe according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a coupling state of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are views for explaining actions of the high heel shoe according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a high heel shoe according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a coupling state of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR REFERENCE NUMERALS

100: high heel shoe 102: leather uppers 110: sole 111: bottom portion 112: tilt portion 112a: rear lower surface 112b: front lower 113: pivot shaft support section surface 114: sole support 116: heel guide section receiving groove 117: heel cover 119: threshold 120: pivot shaft 122: pivot shaft fixing 130: heel member 131: front top 132: top surface 133: heel support 134: pivot shaft insertion hole receiving groove 136: lower tip 138: hooking surface 140: resilient member 142: torsional coil spring 144: sole support 146: heel support section section 150: auxiliary resilient member

MODE FOR INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following embodiments can be readily understood and modified into various types, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Like elements are designated by like reference numerals throughout the specification as possible even though they are shown in the other drawings.

First Embodiment

First, a high heel shoe including a foldable heel according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the high heel shoe according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a side view showing a coupling state of FIG. 2. A high heel shoe 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention generally includes, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a sole 110, a pivot shaft 120, a heel 130, a resilient member 140 and an auxiliary resilient member 150. The sole 110 and the heel 130 are formed of a hard material such as synthetic rubber or a synthetic resin, which is generally used in high heel shoes.

The sole 110 includes a bottom portion 111 that comes in contact with the ground surface, and a tilt portion 112 raised from the bottom portion 111 an inclined manner, like the conventional high heel shoe. Here, the tilt portion 112 has a somewhat gentle slope at a rear side, at which the heel is disposed, more than a front side. Leather uppers 102 surrounding the foot of a wearer are formed at an upper surface of the sole 110. Meanwhile, the sole 110 has a pair of pivot shaft support sections 113 protruding from an intermediate portion of a lower surface of the tilt portion 112 to support both ends of the pivot shaft 120. Here, the pivot shaft support sections 113 may be appropriately disposed at the tilt portion 112 in consideration of a designed height of the heel 130, a space between the heel 130 and the sole 110. In addition, the pivot shaft support sections 113 may be formed to be integrated with a heel guide section 116 (to be described later) as shown in FIG. 2.

Both ends of the pivot shaft 120 are inserted into through-holes 113 a formed at the pivot shaft support sections 113 and supported, and threadedly engaged with a pivot shaft fixing member 122 to be fixed to the pivot shaft support sections 113.

The heel 130 has a foldable structure by forming a pivot shaft insertion hole 134 at a front top 131 thereof and hinging the front top 131 to the pivot shaft 120. Here, a top surface 132 of the heel 130 has a gentle curve to come in close contact with a rear lower surface 112 a of the tilt portion 112. In addition, when the heel 130 is in an unfolded state, i.e., when the top surface 132 is spaced apart a predetermined angle α from the rear lower surface 112 a of the tilt portion 112, a hooking surface 138 in contact with a front lower surface 112 b of the tilt portion 112 is formed at the front top 131. Eventually, the heel 130 becomes foldable within a range of the predetermined angle α with respect to the unfolded state. Here, the predetermined angle α may be about 10° to 45°. Meanwhile, the heel 130 includes the lower tip 136 disposed at a lower end and in contact with the ground surface, and the lower tip 136 has a front-curved shape to come in continuous contact with the ground surface as folded from the unfolded state. The curved lower tip 136 can increase a contact area with the ground surface to reduce an abrasion phenomenon so that the heel 130 can be more naturally folded. Here, the lower tip 136 may be formed of an abrasion-resistant material, and may be threadedly engaged with the heel 130 to be easily replaced with a new one upon abrasion or damage.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heel guide section 116 protrudes from the sole 110 to guide a side portion of an upper end of the heel 130 when the heel 130 is folded such that the rear lower surface 112 a of the tilt portion 112 comes in contact with the top surface 132 of the heel 130. The heel guide section 116 acts to fixedly support the folded heel 130, and prevents lateral movement thereof.

The resilient member 140 is installed between the rear lower surface 112 a of the tilt portion 112 and the top surface 132 of the heel 130 such that the heel 130 is resiliently folded, and functions to return the heel 130 to the unfolded state through resiliency. An elastic modulus of the resilient member 140 may be appropriately selected in consideration of an impact absorption rate of the high heel shoe 100.

Specifically reviewing the structure of the resilient member 140 according to the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the resilient member 140 includes a torsional coil spring 142, and a sole support section 144 and a heel support section 146 extending from the torsional coil spring 142 to form the predetermined angle α. The torsional coil spring 142 is fitted onto the pivot shaft 120, and the sole support section 144 and the heel support section 146 extend from the torsional coil spring 142 to support the rear lower surface 112 a of the tilt portion 112 and the top surface 132 of the heel 130, respectively. Here, the sole support section 144 and the heel support section 146 have a “C” shape. Unlike this, the resilient member 140 may be formed as a flat spring, in which the sole support section 144 and the heel support section 146 are integrally formed, providing a simpler structure. Accordingly, the above-mentioned heel 130 is spaced apart by the predetermined angle α to be in the unfolded state while a resilient force of the resilient member 140 is released.

Meanwhile, a sole support receiving groove 114 is formed at the rear lower surface 112 a of the tilt portion 112 of the sole 110, and a heel support receiving groove 133 is formed at the top surface 132 of the heel 130. That is, the resilient member 140 can be more securely fixed as the sole support section 144 and the heel support section 146 are received in the sole support receiving groove 114 and the heel support receiving groove 133, respectively.

The auxiliary resilient member 150 is formed of a material having a resilient force such as synthetic rubber, and has a plate shape. In addition, the auxiliary resilient member 150 is attached to the rear lower surface 112 a of the tilt portion 112 or the top surface 132 of the heel 130. When the heel 130 is folded to come in contact with the rear lower surface 112 a of the tilt portion 112, a shock-absorbing function of the resilient member 140 is assisted, and generation of a noise is prevented.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3, the high heel shoe 100 according to the first embodiment is designed to form an acute angle with respect to the ground surface in a state in which the heel 130 is open. That is, the high heel shoe of the present invention has a different shape from the conventional high heel shoe having the heel perpendicular to the ground surface. The high heel shoe 100 according to the first embodiment can implement novel type designs to meet with requirements of consumers who want unique and individual designs.

Hereinafter, an operation of the high heel shoe having a foldable heel according to the first embodiment of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

FIG. 4 shows an initial contacting state of the high heel shoe 100 when the wearer walks in the high heel shoes. Since the high heel shoe 100 is in a state with no load before the contact, the high heel shoe 100 is in the unfolded state. In addition, upon contact, the heel 130 first comes in contact with the ground surface before the bottom portion 111. As a load of a walker is gradually applied to the heel 130, the heel 130 is resiliently folded in an arrow direction. Here, the curved lower tip 136 is configured such that the heel 130 is naturally folded while uniformly maintaining the contact area with the ground surface. Accordingly, in a state in which the high heel shoe 100 is in the initial state, the impact force applied to the heel 130 is converted into a resilient force of the resilient member 140 to absorb the impact upon contact. In addition, easy damage to the heel 130 can be prevented and natural walking becomes possible.

Next, FIG. 5 shows an intermediate contact state of the high heel shoe 100. As the load of the walker is applied, the heel 130 is completely folded, and the maximum load of the walker is supported by the bottom portion 111 and the heel 130 of the high heel shoe. Here, as shown by the arrow, the load of the walker is distributed to the bottom portion 111 and the heel 130. Since the heel 130 forms an acute angle with respect to the ground surface, the load of the walker is applied less than the conventional high heel shoe, durability of the high heel shoe 100 can be improved. In addition, since the height of the heel 130 is lowered, the ankle of the walker can be prevented from being twisted.

Finally, FIG. 6 shows a last contact state of the high heel shoe 100. As shown in FIG. 6, as the load of the walker is moved to the ball of the foot, the rear side of the high heel shoe 100 is raised. Here, the heel 130 is spread in an arrow direction by resiliency of the resilient member 140.

Second Embodiment

Hereinafter, a high heel shoe including a foldable heel according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the high heel shoe according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a side view showing a coupling state of FIG. 6. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a high heel shoe 100″ including a foldable heel according to the second embodiment of the present invention generally includes a sole 110, a pivot shaft 120, a heel 130″, a resilient member 140 and an auxiliary resilient member 150. Since the high heel shoe 100″ of the second embodiment has substantially the same entire configuration and operation as in the high heel shoe 100 of the first embodiment, the high heel shoe 100″ will be described with focusing on differences from the high heel shoe 100.

The high heel shoe 100″ according to the second embodiment is distinguished from the first embodiment in that a lower surface 131 b of a front top 131 of the heel 130″ comes in contact with a threshold 119 protruding from a front lower surface 112 b of a tilt portion 112 such that a heel 130″ maintains an unfolded state, while it is the same that the heel 130″ is folded by a resilient member 140. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, while the shape of the heel 130″ is similar to the conventional high heel shoe, the heel 130″ is distinguished from the first embodiment in that the heel is perpendicular to the ground surface in the unfolded state.

Meanwhile, the high heel shoe 100″ according to the second embodiment includes a heel cover 117 configured to cover a space between a top surface 132 of the heel 130″ and a rear lower surface 112 a of the tilt portion 112. As shown in FIG. 8, the heel cover 117 extends from a heel guide section 116 to an upper end of the heel 130″ in the unfolded state. Here, the heel cover 117 has a heel receiving groove 118 formed at a rear side thereof such that conversion of the heel 130″ into a folded state is not interrupted.

As described above, the high heel shoe 100″ including the foldable heel according to the second embodiment is characterized to be manufactured to be similar to the shape of the conventional high heel shoe. Accordingly, preferences of consumers who want the shapes of conventional high heel shoes can be satisfied.

The foregoing description concerns an exemplary embodiment of the invention, is intended to be illustrative, and should not be construed as limiting the invention. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of devices and apparatuses. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

1. A high heel shoe including a foldable heel, comprising: a sole (110) constituted by a bottom portion (111) in contact with the ground surface, and a tilt portion (112) raised from the bottom portion (111) in an inclined manner; a heel (130) having a front top (131) hinged to an intermediate side of a lower surface of the tilt portion (112); and a resilient member (140) having both ends installed at a rear lower surface (112 a) of the tilt portion (112) and a top surface (132) of the heel (130), respectively, wherein the heel (130) has an unfolded state in which the top surface (132) is spaced apart a predetermined angle (α) from the rear lower surface (112 a) of the tilt portion (112) in a state in which a resilient force of the resilient member (140) is released, and a folded state pivoted from the unfolded state by a load applied to the tilt portion (112).
 2. The high heel shoe including the foldable heel according to claim 1, wherein the heel (130) has a hooking surface (138) formed at the front top (131) and in contact with a front lower surface (112 b) of the tilt portion (112) in the unfolded state.
 3. The high heel shoe including the foldable heel according to claim 1, wherein the sole (110) has a threshold (119) protruding from the front lower surface (112 b) of the tilt portion (112) to come in contact with a lower surface (131 b) of the front top (131) of the heel (130) in the unfolded state.
 4. The high heel shoe including the foldable heel according to claim 1, wherein a pivot shaft support sections (113) protrudes from an intermediate side of a lower surface of the tilt portion (112), a pivot shaft (120) supported by the pivot shaft support sections (113) is installed, and the heel (130) is hinged to the pivot shaft (120).
 5. The high heel shoe including the foldable heel according to claim 4, wherein the resilient member (140) comprises: a torsional coil spring (142) inserted onto the pivot shaft (120); a sole support section (144) extending from the torsional coil spring (142) and configured to support the rear lower surface (112 a) of the tilt portion 112; and a heel support section (146) extending from the torsional coil spring (142) to form the predetermined angle (α) with respect to the sole support section (144) and configured to support the top surface (132) of the heel (130).
 6. The high heel shoe including the foldable heel according to claim 5, wherein a sole support receiving groove (114) in which the sole support section (144) is received and fixed is formed at the rear lower surface (112 a) of the tilt portion (112), and a heel support receiving groove (133) in which the heel support section (146) is received and fixed is formed at the top surface (132) of the heel (130).
 7. The high heel shoe including the foldable heel according to claim 1, further comprising a plate-shaped auxiliary resilient member (150) adhered to the rear lower surface (112 a) of the tilt portion (112) or the top surface (132) of the heel (130).
 8. The high heel shoe including the foldable heel according to claim 1, wherein a heel guide section (116) configured to guide a side portion of an upper end of the heel (130) upon pivotal movement of the heel (130) into the folded state, protrudes from the rear lower surface (112 a) of the tilt portion (112).
 9. The high heel shoe including the foldable heel according to claim 8, wherein the heel guide section (116) further comprises a heel cover (117) extending to an upper end of the heel (130) in the unfolded state.
 10. The high heel shoe including the foldable heel according to claim 2, wherein a pivot shaft support sections (113) protrudes from an intermediate side of a lower surface of the tilt portion (112), a pivot shaft (120) supported by the pivot shaft support sections (113) is installed, and the heel (130) is hinged to the pivot shaft (120).
 11. The high heel shoe including the foldable heel according to claim 10, wherein the resilient member (140) comprises: a torsional coil spring (142) inserted onto the pivot shaft (120); a sole support section (144) extending from the torsional coil spring (142) and configured to support the rear lower surface (112 a) of the tilt portion 112; and a heel support section (146) extending from the torsional coil spring (142) to form the predetermined angle (α) with respect to the sole support section (144) and configured to support the top surface (132) of the heel (130).
 12. The high heel shoe including the foldable heel according to claim 11, wherein a sole support receiving groove (114) in which the sole support section (144) is received and fixed is formed at the rear lower surface (112 a) of the tilt portion (112), and a heel support receiving groove (133) in which the heel support section (146) is received and fixed is formed at the top surface (132) of the heel (130).
 13. The high heel shoe including the foldable heel according to claim 3, wherein a pivot shaft support sections (113) protrudes from an intermediate side of a lower surface of the tilt portion (112), a pivot shaft (120) supported by the pivot shaft support sections (113) is installed, and the heel (130) is hinged to the pivot shaft (120).
 14. The high heel shoe including the foldable heel according to claim 13, wherein the resilient member (140) comprises: a torsional coil spring (142) inserted onto the pivot shaft (120); a sole support section (144) extending from the torsional coil spring (142) and configured to support the rear lower surface (112 a) of the tilt portion 112; and a heel support section (146) extending from the torsional coil spring (142) to form the predetermined angle (α) with respect to the sole support section (144) and configured to support the top surface (132) of the heel (130).
 15. The high heel shoe including the foldable heel according to claim 14, wherein a sole support receiving groove (114) in which the sole support section (144) is received and fixed is formed at the rear lower surface (112 a) of the tilt portion (112), and a heel support receiving groove (133) in which the heel support section (146) is received and fixed is formed at the top surface (132) of the heel (130). 